Prince of Wales Tilehurst: Pub is not shoddy but a community asset, councillors are told

The Prince of Wales in Tilehurst is not a shoddy premises, but an inviting pub, a licensing committee has heard.

Regulars have spoken out in support of the School Road premises as the pub fights to keep its licence after an incident on January 8 where police officers were trapped inside.

The officers, armed with Taser stun guns, had to call for back-up and were eventually released after colleagues smashed a window to get in.

The licensee Andrew Parker and three members of his family were arrested on suspicion of affray.

At the Reading Borough Council licensing committee meeting today Thursday May 19, Graham Dyson told councillors he had been a Prince of Wales regular for 14 years and "felt comfortable there".

Another regular Steve Leaver described the pub as "really busy" and said the management "had done so much for the community" while a third customer said "he had always found the Prince of Wales inviting".

The police want the pub's licence revoked following the incident on the night of January 8 and because of other reports of trouble.

In a report to the committee, details of other incidents were outlined including a fight involving 30 people outside the pub, a report of a drunk woman dropping her baby and a fight when a customer lost a tooth.

Matthew Phipps, representing the pub, admitted to the committee: "If you read the papers alone, this is a pretty shoddy premises."